what tool do i need...

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WezVWezV Frets: 16547
edited February 2018 in Making & Modding
.... to cut  side dots from something like a plectrum?

I am after some tort dots and i seem to have loads  of plectrums which would be a perfect source for  the material.  some scraps of celluloid binding too

I have made loads of 6mm dots out of various materials with plug cutters, but i can't find a plug cutter that small.  i need 2 - 2.5mm


Lasers or CNC routers are not an option at this time
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Comments

  • SporkySporky Frets: 27590
    Hollow punch set?
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16547
    I have used that kind of thing before, but will it be sharp enough to get a nice little disc without shattering the source material?

    i suppose I could also heat either the material or cutter to help.

    i also have some cow hoof plectrums which I think would make quite nice dots.  More subtle than a lot of modern tort, but still has some colour variation 
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71963
    You probably need to make a tubular saw from some small brass or steel tube.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • GizmoGizmo Frets: 1073
    I made a punch for side dots a few years ago when i needed some neon green ones (i mean who the hell stocks neno green side dots...)




    As i recall this was the tip of either a welding or an air hose,it came out of a box of bit from my grandfather shed (it's the kind of box i can always find something useful in!)  i had to cut the angle trip section off and grid a cutting edge on it

    Slap it in the drill press and spin up/punch out and push them out with a rod through the back,spits out 2.5mm dots,the above pictured dots are punched out of the tops of rattle cans that are about 1.5mm thick id say,iatm t needs re-sharping and works better if you add a bit of lube to the tip (no sniggering at the back) so the dots push out easier,works for me.

    If you like i'll have a poke in the box tomorrow when im back up the workshop and see if there's another unmodded tip you can play with
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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16547
    Thanks all,

    My initial thought was to make something with a bit of metal tube. 

    I have found some small diameter diamond core bits and was wondering if they would work, but i have some small hollow punches on the way now.  I will give them a go, and if they don;t work with a hammer i will try adding some teeth and chucking them is a drill.  only a couple of quid  on ebay so lets see how i get on with those
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  • DanielsguitarsDanielsguitars Frets: 3261
    edited February 2018 tFB Trader
    nothing fancy just turn your drill bit up side down in a pillar drill and use as a punch

    I drill a hole in a metal plate and place it over a bigger hole in a block of wood then clamp down when it's lined up

    That's all I do now for everything

    The good thing is you can use size you want, I normally use 2.3mm or the equivalent imperial size

    I do use 2mm on thinner fretboards
    www.danielsguitars.co.uk
    (formerly customkits)
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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16547
    that will do



    It didn't like the cow hoof
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  • SporkySporky Frets: 27590
    Excellent.
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • Jimbro66Jimbro66 Frets: 2419
    Did they need warming first to soften them a bit Wez? Nice job.
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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16547
    I didn’t for the ones above
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